On 24 April 2025, the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) had the distinct honor of hosting the National Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony titled “Remembering the Rescue of the Bulgarian Jews”, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Israel.
This solemn and historically significant event commemorated the heroic actions of the Bulgarian people, including the decisive role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Civic Leaders, and Members of Parliament, who collectively resisted Nazi orders and prevented the deportation
of nearly 50,000 Bulgarian Jews during the Second World War. Their moral courage remains a powerful example of human solidarity in the face of oppression.
The ceremony gathered Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT, H.E. Slavena Gergova Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the State of Israel and Embassy staff, Mrs. Orly Gilboha mother of Daniela Gilboha rescued after 477 days from Hamas terrorist captivity,Dr. Rani Jaeger and Mr. Avraham Ben HaDor Ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions in Israel, HIT academic and management staff and students, leaders of the Bulgarian Community in Israel, Deputy Myer of Holon Municipality Mr. Michael Sutovskii and Mrs. Rachel Laniado External relations of Holon Municipality. Their presence signified an
international and internal commitment to the preservation of memory and the condemnation of antisemitism and injustice in all forms.
Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT said in his opening remarks: “Memory must inspire action. Let the light of courage guide us in today’s darkness. Let us be the generation that remembers, resists, and rebuilds—with strength, compassion, and unbreakable solidarity.”
H.E. Ambassador Slavena Gergova strongly sad that: On this very sorrowful occasion and in this very difficult for Israel and the region moment the HIT Holon Institute for Technology has decided to focus their commemoration of Youm Ha Shoa on the events in Bulgaria during the Second World War and I am grateful for that. I am sincerely convinced that the time is right to hear and remember the story of the Bulgarian Jews as an outstanding example of hope in the current challenging times.
I am convinced that the story of the rescue of about 50 000 Bulgarian Jews and the worthy deed of Bulgarian statesmen, politicians, journalists, intellectuals, and the Church is particularly important to be remembered and told as it is, especially in the current context and in the extremely difficult reality for Israel after October 7th. This is a story about personal responsibility and hope, about self-denial and choosing the public interest over the personal, about taking the right side of the history and not remaining silent.
The other part of the history related to Bulgaria and the Jews during the Second world war is the deportation of 11 343 Jews from the territories of Northern Greece and some parts of then Yugoslavia that at that time were administered by Bulgaria. This is an important element of the complex Bulgarian history related to the Jews that we never forget and will never forget. Most of those deported were unfortunately killed soon after they arrived in Treblinka. The Bulgarian case proves how complex the situation was, how many factors played a role in the developments in the different countries but also how the indifference could cost and costed peoples` lives and the bravery was rewarded by saved lives.
I would also like to underline the fact that due to hundreds and thousands Bulgarians, not only those 20 Bulgarians, recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous among the Nations, Bulgaria, a Nazy ally from a certain point during Second World war, became an exception where a substantial change in the governmental policy towards the Jews was introduced and none of Bulgarian Jews was deported from my country. I believe the example of the students in Herzelina`s class whom you are going to meet later in the short movie of Daniel Mualem will explain to a certain extend why such a change was possible and happened in Bulgaria.
I am proud of what my ancestors did and at the background of the current war, the rise of hatred and violence around the world and also the sharp rise of anti-Semitism my understanding is that this story is very relevant. I hope that we can all remember that it is our responsibility and our moral obligation to stay vigilant and to react and oppose the injustice and the hatred. Choosing not to react and remain silent makes us complicit in a crime and I am sure no one of us wants it.
With this, I bow my head once again to the memory of all the victims of Holocaust and let us all commit not to allow that Never again turns into slogan emptied from content and react accordingly!
Special thanks were extended to the Hertzelina Jaeger Foundation, whose support enabled this event. Dr. Rani Jaeger delivered a heartfelt speech, emphasizing the enduring significance of memory, responsibility, and shared values. A moving testimony was given by Avraham Ben HaDor, a survivor from Plovdiv, who recalled the courage of the Bulgarian people and the life- saving resistance during World War II.
At a time when Jewish communities worldwide—and especially in Israel, with 59 hostages still held in Gaza—face ongoing trials, the participation of our diplomatic guests was a sincere gesture of friendship, support, and shared humanity.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Her Excellency Ambassador Slavena Gergova, the Embassy of Bulgaria, and all those who contributed to this commemoration. We look forward to deepening our cooperation and to welcoming our Bulgarian friends again.
Together, we honor the past and continue to build a future founded on mutual respect, peace, and moral courage.
Antoanet (Tony) Levy
External Relations & Innovation, PO
HIT Holon Institute of Technology
